Don't worry, Lady Hatley. I’ll be gone by tomorrow.
“Where is she?” sounded a sudden booming voice from the doors of the drawing room.
The whole room paused as an older gentleman of the same height and stature as Carver jaunted into the room. He p
aused only briefly to scan the room until his eyes fell on Rose. When he saw her, his hard, unreadable face transformed. His eyes softened and a large, infectious smile bloomed. “My dear, you are even more lovely than we all could have guessed!” The man promptly strode to her and picked up her hand and kissed it lightly.
Carver stepped beside her, once again bringing that warm air with him. “Daphney, this is my father—” He hesitated a moment before clearing his throat and continuing, “His Grace, the Duke of Dalton. Father, may I introduce Miss Daphney Bellows.” But all Rose heard was, the duke.
The duke? Carver’s father was a duke? That meant that Lord Newburry was the heir to a dukedom? Why did she not know that? For some reason that information did not sit well with her. Now that she thought of it, she was almost sure that Lord Newburry’s father was dead. She would have to sort that out later…on her way out of here.
“An honor, Your Grace,” Rose said with a deep curtsy. Did she do that right?
“No, the honor is all mine, my dear! Any lady that brings my son home is forever in my good graces. Now, when is the happy day?”
“Father—” said Carver, but was interrupted when the duke threw up his hand in Carver’s direction.
“Shush boy, I’m not talking to you,” he said with a warm smile that contradicted his harsh words. “I’m talking to your lovely Miss Bellows.”
Rose couldn’t help but smile. “Well, Your Grace. We have not formally set a date as of yet.”
He tipped his head to Carver. “Not set a date? Are you daft, son? An engagement to such a lovely girl ought to be finalized as soon as possible.”
“Oh, are you talking to me now?” said Carver.
The duke suppressed a smile. “That depends. Is it true that you lost your cart race last week to that Ellis boy and those bonesetters he likes to think of as horses?” he asked with one eye narrowed.
Carver’s lips pressed into a line, but he couldn’t keep the amusement from showing in his eyes. “I was ill that day.” The whole room erupted in laughter. Even Carver chuckled a little. “How the devil did you even hear about that?”
The duke tipped a brow. “I am the Duke of Dalton, Carver. I hear everything.” Goodness, Rose hoped that statement wasn’t true.
A new voice sounded in the room. Carver was not exaggerating when he said his family was enormous.
Rose turned her head to see the most enchanting, regal woman sweep into the room. She stopped at the duke’s side and rested a light hand on his arm. “Oh, you all leave my son alone. We do not want to scare him away on his first day home.” This was the duchess, then. And also where the youngest sisters received their beautiful blonde hair. “And you must be my newest daughter,” said the duchess.
Rose’s heart swelled at both the words and the fondness in the duchess’ tone. She had often dreamed of what her own mother would have been like had she lived instead of dying in childbirth. Papa had given Rose detailed descriptions of Mother’s hair, eyes, and personality. But no matter how hard she tried, Rose could never conjure a fully realized image of her mother. For most of her life, Rose had watched the women around her and wondered if her mother had moved like that one, or worn her hair like this one. And now, Rose found herself wondering if her mother had possessed a voice like the duchess’, so beautifully kind.
Carver broke through Rose’s reverie by once again performing the polite introductions.
After, the duchess reached out and took Rose’s hand. “We are so happy you are here, my darling! I can already see that you and Carver are meant to be.” Her beautiful warm smile pulled at Rose’s heart. Then the duchess did the unexpected and wrapped Rose in a tight embrace.
For an awkward moment, Rose’s arms hung limp at her sides. How long had it been since she had been hugged like that? She didn’t have to think long to find the answer. Thirteen years. Papa was the last person who Rose had ever allowed to wrap his arms around her in that comforting way. She hadn’t realized how much she had missed it. How secure it made her feel.
Keep them at a distance, Rose.
But Rose knew it was rude not to return the gesture. Not that she would allow herself to enjoy it, but she could at least return the embrace. Rose placed her arms around the duchess and lightly patted her back stiffly. There. She did it.
When the duchess finally released her from the hug, Rose noticed that Carver was staring at her with furrowed brows.
Chapter 10
Night had taken its sweet time falling over Dalton Park. Rose sat on the floor, leaning against the foot of her bed simply watching the ticking clock on the mantel. She might be nothing more than a thief, but Rose had studied enough of high society’s rules and conducts from previous jobs to know that when in the country, families generally retired earlier for the evening than when they were in town. That’s what led Rose to settle on midnight as a suitable time for flight.
She closed her eyes and thought back on dinner as she waited for the shorthand to reach the twelve. The meal had passed rather quickly. Not because it was a light meal, but because Rose found the entire family so amusing that the time flew by effortlessly. Theirs was certainly not a normal family. She was sure of it based on the horribly dull balls and dinner parties she had attended on other jobs.
Rules and propriety clearly had no place at the Dalton table. Everyone had something to say and voiced their opinions loudly, thoroughly, and usually right over another person. The sisters were completely infatuated with their older brother, but their favorite way to show their adoration was by flinging set downs at him—which he readily accepted with a smile and a laugh. Rose was certain that at least one person, if not all, was always laughing through the course of the unfashionable dinner. No one among polite society would have ever expected that this was the way the Duke and Duchess of Dalton conducted their dinners.
Rose learned two important facts about the Ashburn family over the course of the evening: They were fiercely devoted to one another and all used terms of endearment liberally. That last fact made Rose feel a touch silly for ever having been offended when Carver called her my dear or darling. After realizing that endearments were normal among the family, hearing herself called by them made Rose feel an odd sense of inclusion and acceptance. She felt wanted and despite all of her effort; she liked the feeling.